Crochet gecko amigurumi with a curled tail

A tiny gecko amigurumi. 4.0mm and 5.0mm hooks. About 4-6 hours.

Crochet gecko amigurumi with a curled tail
Crochet gecko amigurumi with a curled tail
  • LevelIntermediate
  • Time4-6 hours
  • Hook4.0 mm
  • YarnWorsted

About This Pattern

This gecko is a small, curious shape. One piece, head to tail, fifteen rounds for the body alone. It fits into a quiet evening, maybe two. It needs small hands patience for the toes, and a little care with stuffing. The curled tail is the last small flourish. Nothing about it is rushed.

In the basket

For tiny Twinkletoes

For chunky Twinkletoes

For both versions

Abbreviations

Ch
chain
Sc
single crochet
Inc
increase
St
stitch
R
round
Dec
decrease
Sl st
slip stitch
Sm
stitch marker

Crochet gecko amigurumi with a curled tail

Body

  1. Round 1Make 4 sc in a magic circle (4)
  2. Round 2Inc x 4 (8)
  3. Round 3inc, 3 sc x 2 (10)
  4. Round 4Inc x 5, 5 sc (15)
  5. Round 53 sc in the next st, 8 sc, 3 sc in the next st, 5 sc (19)
  6. Round 6Sc in each st (19) Place a SM between the 6th and 7th sc of this row. This is a guide for the center/top of the body.
  7. Round 7Sc in each st (19)Insert safety eyes between R3 and R4, with 4 or 5 st visible in between them. Use the SM from R6 as a visual guide to place each eye equal distance away from the SM.
  8. Round 8Dec x 6, 7 sc (13)Stuff head
  9. Round 9Dec x 4, 5 sc (9)
  10. Round 103 sc in the next st, inc x 3, 3 sc in the next st, 4 sc (16)
  11. Round 11Leg, sc, inc, 2 sc, inc x 2, sc, inc, leg, 6 sc (20)
  12. Round 12to 14: Sc in each st (20) Make sure to move the limbs outward and be careful not to sc in the chain stitch from the leg.
  13. Round 15Leg, sc, dec, sc x 4, sc, leg, 6 sc (16)
  14. Round 162 sc, dec x 3, 4 sc (13)Stuff body
  15. Round 17sc, dec x 4, sc (9)

Tail

Stuff the tail lightly as you go, until it gets too narrow to stuff.

  1. Round 18Sc in each st (9)
  2. Round 19dec, sc x 2, 3 sc (7)
  3. Round 20Sc in each st (7)
  4. Round 21Dec, 5 sc (6)
  5. Round 22Sc in each st (6)
  6. Round 23Dec, 4 sc (5)
  7. Round 24Sc in each st (5)
  8. Round 25Dec, 3 sc (4)
  9. Round 26Sc in each st (4)Fasten off and leave a long tail Finishing the tail curl: Sew the hole closed, keep the yarn on your needle

Slightly curve the tip of the gecko-tail to the side so that the tip of the gecko-tail is beside R23/R24 Insert your needle between the rounds to bring the tip of the gecko-tail to it

Weave the yarn-tail through the stitches a few more times to secure the curl Do not weave the yarn-tail to the opposite side, it will give it an indent

Special Stitch: Leg

Work this stitch wherever “Leg” appears in the pattern.

  1. Round 1Ch 10, sl st in 2nd ch from hook and the third ch. That third ch will be your “base chain.” Ch 2, sl st in 2nd ch from hook, sl st in base stitch
  2. Round 2Repeat from * to * 3 more times, for a total of 5 toes Sl st in the 7 stitches back down the chain, then continue on with the round

Leg Tutorial (Step by Step)

Ch 10 Sl st in 2nd ch from hook and the third ch. That third ch will be your “base chain.” Ch 2 Sl st in 2nd ch from hook, sl st in base stitch

Ch 2 Sl st in 2nd ch from hook, sl st in base stitch Ch 2 Sl st in 2nd ch from hook, sl st in base stitch Ch 2 Sl st in 2nd ch from hook, sl st in base stitch

Sl st in the 7 stitches back down the chain

More pictures

Crochet gecko amigurumi with a curled tail — photo 2
Crochet gecko amigurumi with a curled tail — photo 3
Crochet gecko amigurumi with a curled tail — photo 4

Before the first stitch

  1. Check you have both hook sizes ready, 4.0 mm and 5.0 mm.
  2. Set out your stitch markers. You will use one every round.
  3. Read the leg special stitch once before you reach Round 12.

Minutes per piece

  • Body about 2 hours, because of fifteen rounds and careful stuffing
  • Legs and tail about 2 hours, because the toe stitch takes patience on the first leg

Other yarns that work

  • Acrylic worsted weight Close to the original size, slightly less drape, same hook.
  • Cotton DK weight Smaller gecko, firmer stitches, use a smaller hook and add less stuffing.

Where it ends up

  • A shelf companion, sitting beside a plant or a lamp.
  • A small gift, paired with a card, no wrapping needed.
  • A desk toy, something to turn over while thinking.

Small notes

  • Place a marker at the start of every round. The pattern is continuous, and the beginning drifts without one.
  • Skip the leg chain stitches in Rounds 12 to 14. Working into them pulls the legs out of shape.
  • Stuff the body firmly but stop before it feels tight. Stuff the tail lightly, less as it narrows.

Little questions

  • Why does the beginning of the round keep moving?

    This pattern works in continuous rounds, so there is no clear seam. A stitch marker at the start of each round keeps your place and your count honest.

  • What if I accidentally stitch into the leg chain?

    The legs will pull inward instead of sitting out to the side. Unpick back to Round 12 and skip the chain stitches this time.

  • How full should the tail be?

    Light, and lighter still as it tapers. Stop stuffing once the tail gets too narrow to take any more.

  • Is the toe stitch hard to learn?

    It looks fussier than it is. Work through the first leg slowly, and the other three go much faster.

Original pattern: https://craftwithnina.com/crochet-twinkletoes-the-tiny-gecko/

About the Author

Tamsin Okoro Who writes the patterns at Yarn Gallery, how a pattern gets from the hook to the page, and what this site will never do.

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A little pattern now and then. Nothing more.